Monday, May 17, 2010

AGRA’s integrated programs in seeds, soils, market access, policy and partnerships and innovative finance work to trigger comprehensive changes across the agricultural system. Our programs also strengthen agricultural education and extension, address the issue of efficient water management, and strive to involve and train youth.

AGRA’s programs and partnerships work for comprehensive changes across the agricultural system to benefit smallholder farmers, the majority women. Integrated programs in seeds, soils, market access, policy and partnerships, and innovative finance are transforming subsistence farming into sustainable, viable commercial activity.AGRA’s programs also work to strengthen agricultural education and extension, train youth, develop rural infrastructure, improve efficient water management and enable smallholder farmers to adapt to and mitigate climate change. All of our programs pay special attention to the women farmers who produce the majority of Africa’s food. AGRA programs seek to empower women with full and equal access to finance, land security, extension services and new agricultural tools and technologies.From Africa’s high-potential breadbasket areas, to broader and more challenging environments, AGRA’s integrated programs are making a difference. One example is found in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, where 700,000 smallholder farmers produced a record maize harvest in 2009, helping to feed drought-stricken regions of the country.

Mr. Kofi A. Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Chairs AGRA’s Board. A team of distinguished African scientists, economists and business leaders guide its day-to-day work. With a budget of close to US$400 million, as of June 2009 AGRA had approved 116 grants valued at US$83 million in 14 countries. Grantees operate across the agricultural value chain, laying the basis for the kind of comprehensive, integrated change needed by Africa’s smallholder farmers.----------